I spent the morning catching up on all the matches I missed while sleeping in. The group stage wrapped up and honestly, some of these results still don't feel real.

June 26 – Group Stage Finale Begins

Netherlands secured top spot in Group F with a 3-1 win over Tunisia, overtaking Japan to claim first place. Mexico finished Group A with a perfect record, beating the Czech Republic 3-0 in their final match. Germany demolished Curaçao 7-1 in Group E, while Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in a separate match. Belgium smashed New Zealand 5-1 with Trossard scoring twice and De Bruyne firing in a stunner from the edge of the box. England beat Croatia 4-2, Argentina beat Algeria 3-0, and Portugal drew 1-1 with Congo DR.

June 27 – Records and History Made

France thrashed Norway 4-1 with Ousmane Dembele scoring a first-half hat-trick in just 32 minutes. He became the first player to score a first-half hat-trick at a men's World Cup since Oleg Salenko in 1994. Norway left Erling Haaland on the bench and paid for it. France finished top of Group I with nine points from three wins.

In the other Group I match, Senegal made history by becoming the first African nation to score five goals in a World Cup match, thrashing 10-man Iraq 5-0. Ismaila Sarr scored his fourth career World Cup goal, surpassing Papa Bouba Diop as Senegal's all-time leading scorer.

Cape Verde secured a knockout spot for the first time in their history after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. They finished second in Group H with three points and will face defending champions Argentina in the round of 32. A 40-year-old goalkeeper holding Spain to a draw earlier in the tournament, now they're facing Messi.

Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 with Alex Baena's solitary goal to top Group H. Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt and advanced as Group G winners.

June 28 – Final Group Matches

England beat Panama 2-0 with Harry Kane and Bellingham both scoring in the second half. Croatia beat Ghana 2-1 to top Group L. Portugal smashed Uzbekistan 5-0. The round of 32 field is now set.

Round of 32 Matchups Confirmed

South Africa vs Canada in Los Angeles on June 28 – both teams making their knockout debuts. Brazil vs Japan in Houston. Netherlands vs Morocco in Monterrey. USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina. Germany vs Paraguay. Ivory Coast vs Norway. France vs Sweden. Argentina vs Cape Verde. Mexico will face a third-placed team from Groups C, E, F, H or I.

The bracket is set and honestly, Argentina vs Cape Verde is the one I keep circling. A 40-year-old goalkeeper against the defending champions. That's the kind of chaos this tournament was built for.

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